What do porcelain veneers consist of?

Porcelain veneers, also known as dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are porcelain leaves of variable thickness that are custom-made for each patient in a dental prostheses laboratory. Before placing the porcelain veneers, it is necessary to trim the enamel of the front side of the tooth. The porcelain veneer is fixed with a special, very resistant adhesive on the trimmed surface. Porcelain is the most adequate material for dental reconstruction, since it resembles the natural enamel of the teeth and is very resistant. It has a smooth and litlle porous surface that makes it difficult for bacteria to attach to it. There is another material used for dental reconstruction called 'composite'. It has the important advantage over porcelain of needing less trimming of the tooth enamel. However, porcelain has greater advantages: it is harder, less porous (this makes it more resistant to changes of color) and the gums tolerate it better.

Which cases is it advisable to resort to porcelain veneers?

When a tooth's contour is broken. To conceal mild dental alignment problems. To give a natural appearance and function to teeth that have developed poorly or are misshapen. To cover with an even surface teeth that have suffered changes in color due to endodontic treatments or to chemical agents. To increase the size of teeth that have gaps between them.
To restore teeth that are old or deteriorated by the passage of time.

In which cases it is NOT advisable to resort to porcelain veneers?

When the patient is not able to follow a strict oral hygiene. When a tooth has broken and the portion lost is bigger than the portion that remains. When the tooth enamel is not strong enough for attaching a porcelain veneer. When the patient suffers from severe bruxism. When the patient is prone to receive strong blows in his/her professional activities or participates in violent sports. It is not indicated for correcting malocclusion.

 

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